Connections: Patriots - Dolphins

A look at the connections between the New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins.

NEW ENGLAND TIES

Dolphins LB Kiko Alonso was born in Newton, Mass.

Dolphins general manager Chris Grieris a native of Holliston, Mass., and attended the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, where he played football for two seasons.

Miami associate head coach/special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi played at the University of Rhode Island from 1988-91 and later returned to the school to coach, in addition to stints at New Haven and Northeastern.

Both Dolphins offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen and head strength and conditioning coach *Dave Puloka have ties to Holy Cross. Christensen was a member of the coaching staff from 1989-90 and Puloka played for the Crusaders from 1997-2000.

Dolphins defensive coordinator **Matt Burke *coached at both Boston College (2000-02) and Harvard (2003) before moving to the NFL ranks.

Miami tight ends coach Shane Day coached the quarterbacks at Connecticut from 2012-13.

Dolphins assistant wide receivers coach Ben Johnson worked at Boston College from 2009-11.

Miami defensive quality control coach* Rusy McKinney* coached at Bentley College in Waltham, Mass. for five seasons and also spent time working at St. Anselm College in Manchester, N.H.

SOUTH FLORIDA TIES

Patriots WR Phillip Dorsett and Patriots RB James White are from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and were teammates together at St. Thomas Aquinas High School. Dorsett went on to attend the University of Miami from 2011-14, where he ended his career ranked eighth in school history in receptions (121), receiving yards (2,132) and touchdowns (17).

Miami TE A.J. Derbywas originally selected by the New England Patriots in the sixth round (202nd overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft. He spent his rookie season on the Patriots Injured/Reserve list before appearing in four games for New England in the beginning of 2016.

Dolphins C/G **Ted Larsen *was drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round (205th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft and released prior to the start of the regulsr season.

Dolphins general manager Chris Grier began his NFL career as an intern for the Patriots in 1994. The following year, he became a regional scout for the team and served in that capacity until joining the Dolphins in 2000. His father,* Bbby Grier*, was the vice president of player personnel for the Patriots from 1995-1999.

Miami wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson played for the Patriots from 1996-99 and started 61 of 63 games played at New England.

FORMER DOLPHINS

Patriots RB Mike Gillislee played for the Dolphins in 2013 and was on injured reserve during the 2014 season.

Patriots LB Trevor Reilly spent Weeks 16-17 and the postseason on the Dolphins active roster after spending the majority of the 2016 season on the Patriots practice squad.

Dolphins head coach Adam Gase was hired by Patriots offensive coordinator/ quarterbacksJosh McDaniels in 2009 when McDaniels took over head coaching duties in Denver. Gase coached the Broncos wide receivers from 2009-10 under McDaniels' tutelage.

When Patriots DB Devin McCourty played at Rutgers from 2006-07, Dolphins associate head coach/special teams coordinator *Darren Rizzi *directe the special teams units and the linebackers for the Scarlet Knights.

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